The Oregon Coast is known for its bicycling opportunities, and the south end is no exception. There are many options for people who prefer to stick to the pavement as well as those who would rather bike on trails, and it’s possible to find these great biking spots within just a half an hour of Bandon.

Riding on the Road

Many people find pleasure in riding their bikes on the gently rolling hills of Beach Loop Drive. Beach Loop Drive is approximately 3 miles from end to end, but it is quite easy to add on by continuing to the north down into Old Town or to the south to the highway. The road goes along the beach, and riders are treated to many nice views. Be sure to pull off at the Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint for some of the best views in Bandon. It is a lightly traveled street with a low speed limit, but traffic does pick up during the tourist season, so be on the lookout for cars.

North Bank Road is another popular road bike route. North Bank Road begins just north of the bridge over the Coquille River and follows the winding Coquille River for approximately 11 miles when it meets with Highway 42 which continues east another 4.5 to Coquille. From Coquille, riders can loop back to Bandon on Highway 42S for a total of 32 miles. North Bank Road is a lightly traveled road with pleasant views of the river and the countryside. There is no shoulder, however, so it is important to watch for cars.

Roughly paralleling Highway 101 to the east is Rosa Road, a road offering rural scenery and one that can be incorporated into a roughly 12-mile loop with Beach Loop Drive. Begin in Old Town and make your way to Beach Loop Drive, riding south to the highway, then north on the highway for less than a mile, then turning left (east) on Two Mile Lane. Two Mile meets Rosa Rd. in about of a mile. Turn left, and enjoy the rolling hills and pastoral scenes for a little under 4 miles until it becomes Fillmore Street and takes you another mile back into town.

A challenging mile hilly ride includes Lampa Lane east of town. Begin your ride at Rays Food Place on the north end of town and head east out Highway 42S. At the 7 mile marker, turn right on Lampa Lane and follow it approximately 6.8 miles to where it turns south. Follow it 1.8 miles to Arago-Fishtrap Road where you will turn right and go north 1.4 miles to Cross Road where you will turn left and connect again with Lampa Lane. Heading back to Rays will give you a 32 mile ride, or you can add another loop for an additional 4.5 miles. For this option, turn right on Prosper Junction Road, 5.6 miles west of the intersection with Lampa Ln. and Highway 42S on your way back to town. Head north and then west, and at 2.3 miles, you will come to Highway 101. Cross the highway and head south on Riverside Drive which will take you 1.6 miles along the river, past the Bandon Marsh, and back to the highway at Old Town. Turn left on the highway and ride back up the hill to Rays Food Place.

For many more road riding options in the area, see the Two Wheel Oregon website, and zoom the map in on the Bandon area. The South Coast Bicycles website also details several more rides of varying lengths.

Riders looking for a bigger mileage day might choose to ride on the highway north or south to one of Bandon’s neighboring towns. For information about riding on the Oregon Coast, click on the following links: Oregon Department of Transportation Bike Routes and Maps Oregon Department of Transportation Oregon Coast Bike Route Publication Ride Oregon Ride Oregon Coast Bike Route

Riding on Trails and Paths

The Bandon area offers more than just road riding if you’re looking to ride on some trails or paths. The Winchester Trails, 11 miles north of Bandon, are easily accessed by a parking area just to the west of the highway and are shared with motorcycles. Mountain bikers can find moderate to challenging trails complete with roots, turns, and fun descents mixed with gravel roads. A trail map can be found here, but there are many trails not on the map and ready to be explored.

South of Bandon by 20 miles, between Langlois and Port Orford, are the Blacklock Trails, accessed by turning west on Airport Road and driving approximately 3 miles to the closed airport. Park at the gate and start down the trail which is shared with hikers. Exploring these trails will take mountain bikers through the forest to Floras Lake and the ocean. For more information, visit coostrails.com.

For those looking to ride off of the road but dont wish to be on trails, both Cape Blanco State Park and Bullards Beach State Park offer a number of paths through the parks and to the ocean for a pleasant and scenic riding experience.

Need to rent a bike? Do you need bike supplies, repairs, or help? Need to talk to someone about where to ride in the area? Go see one of the experienced folks at South Coast Bicycles. They are located on the north end of town on Highway 101 at 805 2^nd St. NE. You can also visit their website or give them a call at 541-347-1995. Karl Maxon, the owner, is a former pro cyclist and is the best guy around to help you choose the bike that’s right for you to rent or purchase, to fix or equip your current bike, and to help you know where to ride.

For more regional cycling options, check out local author Tom Baake’s book Oregon South Coast Bicycle Ride Guide, available shipped for only $12.